In Six Words: What’s It Like to Call for Help in Your Community?

My conversation about the effectiveness of Area Agencies on Aging in helping family caregivers (you can read it here) has got me thinking. And that leads me to a six-word story contest. I’d love to know, in six words, what it’s been like for you when you call agencies and organizations (like the Area Agency on Aging, the Veterans Administration, the Alzheimer’s Association) to get help. You could...

Tell Us: How Do Keep Your Caree Occupied?

Yesterday, during Table Talk on Your Caregiving Journey, Kristin spoke about her inability to do what she enjoys. She has books to read, words to write, websites to visit… And, yet she can’t. The stress of worrying about Mary and whether Mary is safe becomes her day’s only action. It’s all she can do—think about making sure Mary is okay. The dread of what could happen (Mary wanders...

Where Do You Shop for Caregiving Supplies?

About eight years ago, I met with a larger retailer (think bull’s-eye) and an incontinence product manufacturer. The manufacturer suggested that the retailer become a more attractive shopping experience for family caregivers and asked me to meet with their staff to share ideas. We talked about products to add and a store layout to modify so shopping with a caree in a wheelchair could be easier. Nothing...

Tell Us: Which Lesson from 2011 Will You Bring Into 2012?

Over the weekend, I did a mini review of 2011. I wondered: What did I learn that will help make 2012 different? My biggest takeaway from 2011? Worrying wastes my time. (I still worry but I’m trying to remember that it really wastes my time.) The worrying just adds more stress when I’m already stressed. Rather than worry, I’m much better off when I take action or ask for help or accept a reality....

In Six Words, What’s Your Wish for 2012?

We make a list of what we want for Christmas, why not make a list for what we want in 2012? And, to make it more fun, let’s write our list in six words or less. Here’s mine: I want the best. What’s yours? Share in our comment section, below. We’ll choose a winner to receive Take Comfort, the CD set and book. Resources —I’ve had the flu so our December webinar will take place on...

Our Six-Word Simple Truth Winners Are…

…Trish, who won Take Time, a Journey and Journal Toward Greater Happiness; and …Janet, who won Take Comfort, the book and CD set. Thanks so much to all who shared. I loved all your six-word simple truths. Be sure to read them...

In Six Words: What’s Your Simple Truth?

I’m on the board for Guild for the Blind, an organization based in Chicago which helps persons with low vision. It’s a terrific organization which makes such a difference to those who receive its services. As a board member, I’m involved in really cool initiatives, which means I get to interact with some really innovative businesses. I recently attended a meeting with two Guild staff members with...

In Six Words, What’s Your Thanksgiving?

I’m on my way home from a visit to see Bette (more on our visit later). As I sit in a quiet corner of busy Philadelphia airport, waiting for my flight to Chicago, I’m surrounded by the holiday season: Decorations, music, well wishes from passengers. And, the holiday spirit lives: As mechanical difficulties delayed my flight to Philadelphia, airport employees provided donuts while we waited for another...

Tell Us: How Do You Start Your Day?

Yesterday, on Your Caregiving Journey, Elizabeth Lombardo, our happiness expert, joined me for a discussion on how to start your day. You can listen to our who via the player below. (You can view Elizabeth on the Today Show by visiting her website.) The inspiration for our show was a recent article in The Wall Street Journal that talked about the importance of setting the right mood for your day in the morning....

Poll: Does Your Doctor Know You Are a Family Caregiver?

I’ve been enjoying Trish‘s comments to my post, “A Theme for You.” Each of her comments has given me food for thought. Her last comment also gave me the idea for this week’s poll. I wonder: Does your doctor know you are a family caregiver? Meaning, have you told your doctor that you care for a member of your friend or for a friend? Please vote in our poll, below. And, if you have...

In Six Words, What’s Your Unexpected Benefit?

Last week, I posted about an article in The New York Times about caregiving’s hidden benefits. Yesterday, I co-hosted a chat on Twitter that explored these benefits. (You can view the transcript of yesterday’s chat here.) All this talk has me wondering: What do you view as your unexpected benefit of caregiving? What’s changed for the better for you because of caregiving? What’s better about...

How Do You Rate Against Non-Caregiving Peers?

The New York Times Old Age blog featured an interesting story yesterday (Caregiving’s Hidden Benefits). Caregiving has some interesting benefits. Consider: 1. Family caregivers have a lower mortality rate than non-caregivers. 2. Family caregivers are physically stronger than non-caregivers. 3. Family caregivers scored better on memory tests than non-caregivers. 4. Caregiving can lengthen your life. (You can...

Tell Us: What’s the Smartest Thing You’ve Done?

Often, when I look back on my life, I think about the dumb things I’ve done. Ugh, I’ll think, that was so dumb! Once in awhile, my memory will give me a break and dwell on those actions or decisions which were quite smart. Thinking of those smart moments in my life gives me hope that my future will include more smart decisions. So, I’d love to know: What’s the smartest thing you’ve...

Tell Us: When Do You Fib?

I love this comment left by Karen yesterday in response to our request for bathing tips: Way back then, the only thing that would get her in the tub was if I told her she had a doctor appt the next day. That usually did it after coaxing for an hour… Needless to say… I told her that every other day! Those little fibs we have to tell… That’s a very hard thing in itself to deal with initially… You don’t...

Tell Us: In Six Words, What’s Your Responsibility?

In caregiving, the responsibilities can be overwhelming, intimidating, never-ending. You get so used to doing it that you may lose sight of all you do. So, today, I’d love to hear your thoughts about responsibility in caregiving. How would you describe your responsibilities as a family caregiver? And, how would you describe that responsibility in just six words? Your six-word description could be something...

Tell Us: What Part of You Got Lost?

In last week’s poll, What’s Caregiving’s Worst Side Effect?, your top answer was, “I feel like I lost myself.” I’d love for you to tell us more. For instance, do you feel like you look in the mirror and wonder what happened? Do you feel like you’ve lost your ability to enjoy what you used to? Or, do you look around and think: How did I get to where I don’t...

Poll: What’s Caregiving’s Worst Side Effect?

It would be wonderful if caregiving came wrapped with a label, like the one the pharmacist attaches to all medications, listing all its possible side effects: Caregiving can cause weight gain. Caregiving can make friends and family disappear. Caregiving can interfere with your ability to enjoy down time. So, in this week’s poll, I’d love to know: What’s the worst side effect of caregiving?...

How Do You Manage Caregiving and Your Career?

The New York Times published an article this afternoon with tips on how to manage work while you’re caregiving. (You can read the article here.) The tips mentioned in the article include: using the Family and Medical Leave Act in order to create plans, manage emergencies, transition your caree into another care setting; checking with your HR Department to learn about resources available to you which can...

Your Best Day Ever: What’s Your Six-Word Story?

So many days in caregiving are just bad days. And, some of the bad days are days you couldn’t imagine would ever be this bad. Days when your hands bleed, your heart aches, and your eyes hurt. Because caregiving brings too many days like this, let’s take a break by remembering our best day ever. And, for fun, let’s describe our best day ever in just six words. (Thanks to SMITH magazine for...

Tell Us: When Does Caregiving Steal Your Spirit?

Over the weekend, one of our Facebook fans shared what’s on her heart: “Does anyone feel like there spirit has been broken being a caregiver?,” she wrote. “I am doing what I need to do but I feel like my spirit is broken.” Caregiving can get the best of you in a day, when a phone call brings more bad news or a dementia behavior demands one more ounce of patience than you have. But,...

Friday Fun: Give Us the Guffaws

It’s Friday, so let’s share some funnies. What’s a humorous experience that’s happened to you in your caregiving role? It could be something that happened years ago or just yesterday, as long as today it makes you giggle. We’ll giggle with you. Please share in our comments section. Resources We’re taking submissions for our Caregiving Art Show and our Help book! Be sure to share your art and your story...

Tell Us: What Do You Take Too Seriously?

Heather begins her day the same way: Up at 5:30 a.m., shower, four bites of a granola bar, hair in a headband. Then, she dons the gloves, carefully and steadfastly placing each finger into the latex glove. She’s ready for the part of the day she dreads. She wakes her mom and begins the morning care. Her mom has intensive and extensive care needs, so morning care can take as long as 60 minutes. She guides...